TO A LADY, FROM WHOM HE RECEIVED A SILVER PEN.

1 Madam! intending to have tried The silver favour which you gave, In ink the shining point I dyed, And drench'd it in the sable wave; When, grieved to be so foully stain'd, On you it thus to me complain'd.

2 'Suppose you had deserved to take From her fair hand so fair a boon, Yet how deservèd I to make So ill a change, who ever won Immortal praise for what I wrote, Instructed by her noble thought?

3 'I, that expressed her commands To mighty lords, and princely dames, Always most welcome to their hands, Proud that I would record their names, Must now be taught an humble style, Some meaner beauty to beguile!'

4 So I, the wronged pen to please, Make it my humble thanks express Unto your ladyship, in these: And now 'tis forcèd to confess That your great self did ne'er indite, Nor that, to one more noble, write.